2012-02-06
Sweden and the WCO in project to save endangered species
The Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling is in Eastern Africa. The purpose of the trip is improving trade relations and better business opportunities for Swedish companies in eastern and southern Africa.
On the World Customs Day she instead discussed a different kind of business than the trip is to promote, namely the illegal and specifically the illegal trade in great apes and other endangered animals, along with drugs and guns are a major part of the illegal trade in the world. During the trip Dr. Björling stated Swedens intentions to continue the fight against illegal trade in great apes and other endangered species. "It is shocking how extensive illegal trade in endangered animals and species to continue. The great apes of Africa's father especially bad when they hunted, killed and sold across borders, "says Dr Björling. At the meeting, which was held in Tanzania on the world Customs Day on 26 January, attended key players from several countries. The topic of discussion was how the illegal trade can be tackled through better understanding of the problems, increased awareness and improved cooperation. "It was a constructive meeting, but the issue is far from solved. Sweden is providing finasiellt support to strengthen the WCO potential in fighting this kind of illegal trade. But it must change fundamentally by means such as tourism. The problems are less in countries that recognize the economic value of its rich wildlife, "says Dr Björling. Trade in endangered species, together with drugs and guns much of the illegal trade in the world. Sweden, the Minister for Trade Ewa Björling's initiative, supported since 2010 the World Customs Organization GAPIN project (short for Great Apes and Integrity). The project aims to contribute to global efforts against corruption and illegal trade in endangered great apes in Africa, such as chimpanzees and gorillas. Sweden will always continue the fight to save endangered species.
2012-02-06
Swedish schools will go fully digital
In Sollentuna, near Stockholm, students will come only to have surf boards and computers instead of traditional textbooks. Schools should take the step into the present instead of keeping to the ancients.
The computer's today as natural as pen and paper. All Sollentuna pupils from preschool class to and including ninth grade have been phased in in the the digitized school ¬ era. Now taking the next step and remove the pulp, paper, pens and school books. All teaching is done through the Internet, and using e-readers (iPad). The investment costs SEK 16.5 million in the startup phase and 3 million by 2013. A portion of the cost paid by the abolition of school books and traditional textbooks and transferred to digital learning. Compare Google Earth with a pull-down map. School books may contain errors and the internet are many other sources. There is such a force in technology, it becomes a journey of discovery and allows children find it fun to learn saker.Sollentuna has decided to have an open Internet for all students. Using a web-based portal, the students, including access to programs and to save their school work. For that reason, it is not meant for the students to sit at computers all the time. Teachers should just like today vary working.
2012-02-05
A customs expert, a Hunneberga farmer and a gentleman
This is a very good old friend of mine and I am sure that many of you recognize him. Patrik Heinesson worked for Swedish Customs for many years on high positions.
Nowadays he still work on Customs capacity building, reform and modernization but in the private sector. He is also living in the countryside on a farm where he is in his little spare time growing vegetables and raising sheep. I am sure that he will be equally good at this as on everything else. He is genuinely a great professional, capacity builder, gentleman and one of the most experienced international Customs officers around. And a very good friend. On the picture above he demonstrates some products of his hobby project.
2012-02-05
EU leaders make commitments to growth and more jobs
EU heads of state met recently to discuss the future of the EU. European leaders made a strong statement about how to meet the future. The leaders wrote in a press release, "Over the past few months, the preliminary signs of economic stabilization has been seen, but the tensions in financial markets still dampen economic activity and uncertainty remains high. Governments to take decisive steps to correct the budgetary imbalances in a sustainable manner, but further efforts to promote growth and Jobs. There are no quick fixes. Our actions must be decisive, persistent and taken on a broad basis. We must do more to bring Europe out of the crisis. It has been decided for us to achieve financial stability and fiscal consolidation - this is a prerequisite for a return to higher structural growth and increased employment. It is not sufficient in itself: we must modernize our economies and strengthen our competitiveness in order to ensure sustainable growth. Today we focused on three immediate priorities. Whenever possible, the efforts made at national level to be supported by measures from the EU, including through the EU funds to be focused more on employment and growth within the agreed ceiling. We will continue the multilateral and bilateral efforts to remove trade barriers and ensure better market access and an appropriate investment climate for European exporters and investors in accordance with the conclusions of the European Council in October 2011. In 2012, should be crucial for progress on trade agreements with key partners. High Level Group on EU-USA for jobs and growth should be given every opportunity to promote trade and investment between the EU and the U.S.. A renewed effort to improve the environment in which small businesses operate in, especially when it comes to reducing unjustified administrative burdens and regulatory burdens, and by ensuring that any action at EU level will contribute fully to economic growth and job creation.
2012-02-04
Sweden will participate in the EU fiscal pact
Sweden and 24 other EU countries have agreed to establish a fiscal pact. It told Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt at a press conference after the informal European Council in Brussels on Monday night.
Legal framework has been established for the 17 euro countries and have no legal effect in Sweden. But Sweden will still take part in the meetings scheduled with the other countries at least once a year, emphasized Reinfeldt.
2012-02-04
Coldest night so far, this year
-42 Degrees during winter's coldest night. This winter's coldest night in Sweden hit minus 42 degrees in Kvikkjokk in central Lapland.
It was six degrees colder than the lowest temperature recorded during the previous winter.
2012-02-03
The beautiful Gabala
During the visit to Azerbaijan we also got a chance to visit the mountain region of Gabala, or in Azeri Qabala. Gabala is the most ancient city of Azerbaijan and with a proud history.
Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the Caucasian Albania as early as the fourth century BC. This is a very interesting and beautiful place that I recommend everybody to visit.
2012-02-03
Finally we got winter in south of Sweden
We have had a warm winter so far in the south of Sweden. In the North it has been as usual, meaning cold and with lots of snow.
Now, when I got home from my last trip abroad, I could notice that winter had arrived.
2012-02-03
World Bank Report on Gender and Development
Finance Minister Anders Borg and Gunilla Carlsson presented the January 31 World Development Report 2012 in Stockholm. The presentation took place along with the report's lead author Dr. Ana Revenga (World Bank). The report focuses on gender and development.
The situation in the euro area is still serious. The uncertainty over indebted nations' ability to handle debt crisis persists. The crisis may also have effects in developing countries, including reduced capital flows and the decline in global trade. This is often overlooked in the debate and here we all have a responsibility to highlight the global issues that still require political solutions.
One of the toughest challenges we face today is how we create jobs and growth. The low employment rate of half the world's population - women - means that many countries miss out on growth opportunities while women miss out on opportunities for self-expression and power over their own lives. In Sweden, almost as many women as men employed. In developing countries, however, clearly less than half the women employed. Women's employment is not only an obstacle to economic development, it is also a neglected part of a broader gender equality.
To strengthen the position of women in developing countries have an intrinsic value and is an end in itself, and it is also a powerful means for achieving other development goals. We know from repeated studies that women spend, on average a significantly larger proportion of their income on family, health and education of their children than men do. More women in work contributes to a healthier population and to more children are attending school. When women get access to the labor market will also be increased productivity and growth rate may be a real boost. The past 25 years, women's lives around the world improved. Much progress has been made in education, rights, health and access to work. Meanwhile, conditions for women and men are still very different. 60 percent of the world's malnourished women, according to FAO. In 23 countries, women have no legal right to decide where to stay. The road to equality is still long and the need for concrete steps wide. Strengthening women's economic status also means that the position of women in both the household and society.
For us, it is crucial that women have power over their own lives. Against this background it is encouraging that this year's theme for World Bank's flagship report, World Development Report focuses on the relationship between employment, equality and welfare. Sweden is one of the world's most equal countries. We are also one of the countries with the highest female labor force participation, and has long been active in creating the World Bank will increase its social responsibility and become a central gender actor in global development efforts. The report, presented today in Stockholm before the parliament, the media and the broader Swedish public, shows that gender equality accelerates the country's development. For the differences between men and women to reduce, the investments are directed towards girls and women access to health and education, and the barriers to women's participation in the labor market must be removed. Women must also have a greater opportunity to influence and participation, in the household as well as society at large. The World Bank has in this report has shown that investments in gender equality makes good economic thinking. The report will help us in our efforts to incorporate gender perspectives in World Bank activities. Now, the recommendations put into practice. As pointed out by both of us when we jointly participated in the World Bank annual meeting in September. Sweden will be a key partner in implementing the report's recommendations and the World Bank's continuing work on gender equality.
2012-02-02
Back from Azerbaijan
After a week in Azerbaijan it was great to be back. However, it was a very interesting mission. I was invited to give a speech about “Borderless Customs – the new role of Customs in a Globalalized world” on an international conference excellent organized by the State Customs Committee. The conference, “The Role of Customs in the Economic Security in a Globalised Environment”, was arranged together with the University of Baku and had participation from all around the world. We heard numerous very interesting presentations and had fruitful exiting discussions about the future. During the event we also celebrated the 30 years anniversary of the State Customs Committee. There are great longterm connection between Sweden and Azerbaijan. Explorer Thor Heyerdal has proven that Scandinavian people likely a long time ago came from the Caucasus region and the shores of the Caspian Sea, from Azerbaijan. In more recent history the famous Nobel brothers came to Baku 100 years ago to build the oil industry.
2012-02-02
Astrid Lindgrens favorite illustrator and provocateur
Ten years after the Swedish children's author Astrid Lindgren's death opens Millesgården show "Ingrid Vang Nyman - Pippi Longstocking and a little more." Children's book author and illustrator worked frequently together but the relationship was far from easy.
Pippi Longstocking is available at more than 60 languages. In many translations see a Pippi, who in appearance is different from the familiar to us, designed by Ingrid Vang Nyman (1916-1959). The reader will meet instead of a lanky English teenager, a Dutch with corkscrew curls and ruffles or a Russian seductive Lolita-Pippi. Only in recent years, our "Swedish" Pippi Longstocking had spread over the world. How is it? Ingrid Vang Lauridsen was born in the city Vejen of South Jutland. In appearance reminded her about Pippi, long and lanky, with red hair and lots of freckles. On the Art Academy in Copenhagen she met Arne Nyman, a Swedish painter and poet. They married in 1940 and had a son, Peder. 1942 the family moved to Stockholm, but the marriage was dissolved already 1944th Despite difficulties in finding their bearings became Ingrid left for twelve years. 1954 she moved back to Copenhagen in December 1959, she chose to take his life.Astrid Lindgren's favorite illustrator and provocateur
Ten years after the Swedish children's author Astrid Lindgren's death opens Millesgården show "Ingrid Vang Nyman - Pippi Longstocking and a little more." Children's book author and illustrator worked frequently together but the relationship was far from easy. Pippi Longstocking is available at more than 60 languages. In many translations see a Pippi, who in appearance is different from the familiar to us, designed by Ingrid Vang Nyman (1916-1959). The reader will meet instead of a lanky English teenager, a Dutch with corkscrew curls and ruffles or a Russian seductive Lolita-Pippi. Only in recent years, our "Swedish" Pippi Longstocking had spread over the world. How is it? Ingrid Vang Lauridsen was born in the city Vejen of South Jutland. In appearance reminded her about Pippi, long and lanky, with red hair and lots of freckles. On the Art Academy in Copenhagen she met Arne Nyman, a Swedish painter and poet. They married in 1940 and had a son, Peder. 1942 the family moved to Stockholm, but the marriage was dissolved already 1944th Despite difficulties in finding their bearings became Ingrid left for twelve years. 1954 she moved back to Copenhagen in December 1959, she chose to take his life.
2012-02-02
CITES Capacity Building for Customs Officers in Georgia
To build capacity of customs officers in Georgia to identify and interdict illegal trade in CITES-listed species, the Government developed a special CITES handbook in the Georgian language. This handbook contains all species of wild fauna and flora that are found in Georgia and listed in the CITES appendices. For each species, there is a photo and a brief description. The Government also conducted a seminar for customs officials to raise their awareness on CITES issues, as well as the general importance of protecting wild fauna and flora.
2012-02-01
Liberia president announces new ministers
As the nation of Liberia yearns for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to reveal the full slate of her new government, she has assured that appointment this time will reflect ethnic and gender balance, while former officials who performed with integrity in the past government, are likely to resurface in the new administration.
Making her first announcement recently, President Sirleaf said " We will try as much as possible to have a balance in country, gender and ethnic representation. But she added: "our overarching principle is to appoint those who have performed and those who have the requisite competence, commitment, integrity and good human relations
2012-02-01
New donation from Sweden to support Capacity Building for WCO members
Sweden, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SIDA, is one of the WCO's biggest financial contributors for capacity building. The Swedish Foreign Ministry has recently submitted a new grant of 4.25 million SEK to the WCO for GAPIN II for capability-building skills to prevent trade in endangered species. This is a prioritized area for Swedish Government and there are high expectations on this specific project, that is only one in a row of different initiatives and donations to the WCO for capaity building.
